Kay Ivey, Alabama state treasurer and a 1967 graduate of Auburn University's College of Education, spent March 7 visiting with faculty, staff and students as the college's 2005 Keystone Leader-In-Residence. She will present her business, government and leadership experiences during a general seminar.

Ivey, a native of Camden in Wilcox County, was sworn in as the 38th state treasurer on Jan. 20, 2003. Since taking office, she has been focused on cost savings and efficiencies in the Treasurer’s Office, and she has worked to help Alabamians know more about the financial situation of our state.

As state treasurer, Ivey is responsible for stewardship of Alabama’s state revenues. Her office’s primary goal is to promote public confidence in the state treasury through prudent investment policies and strategies. The Treasurer’s Office also administers Alabama’s Prepaid Affordable College Tuition (PACT) program and the Alabama Higher Education 529 Fund, both of which offer options for families to save for future college expenses while enjoying certain tax benefits. The office’s Unclaimed Property program reunites rightful owners with lost or abandoned property.

Ivey’s career includes several leadership “firsts” for women and a destiny to serve in a public capacity. Dating back to high school, she was the first Alabama Girls State alumnae elected to an Alabama constitutional office. She later served Auburn University’s student body as the first woman elected SGA vice president and SGA Senate president.

Ivey’s experience in education, banking, economic development and higher education administration prepared her well to serve as Alabama’s state treasurer. She rose to the rank of assistant vice president during her 10 years with Merchants National Bank of Mobile (now Regions). Ivey is a graduate and charter trustee of the Alabama Banking School. As consultant to the American Bankers Association in Washington, D.C., she helped launch the Economic Education Program for K-12 teachers and students nationwide.

Once a California government and economics teacher, Ivey put her classroom principles in action through a career in public service. Her service prior to being elected state treasurer includes stints in the Alabama Development Office, Alabama House of Representatives and the Alabama Commission on Higher Education.

The AU College of Education established the Keystone Leader-in-Residence program in 2003 to introduce the college’s students to individuals who are proven leaders in the fields of education, human services, health services, community services and government. Keystone leaders spend a day on the Auburn campus sharing their perspectives of current issues in their respective fields. The Keystone Leader-in-Residence program helps to emphasize the college’s philosophy that education – like the keystone in an arch – serves as a central, supporting role.